Ghostly good times: Halloween fun is all around

10/18/2002

It's the scary season again.

Each October, apparitions, ghoulish creatures, horrifying screams, and things that go bump in the night haunt even the most daring thrill-seekers at area Halloween events.

This year some new attractions join the perennially popular events for all ages in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

The haunted happenings range from the extremely frightening to not-so-scary. They are offered this year on trains and boats, at amusement parks, the Toledo Museum of Art, traditional haunted houses, and at the zoo.

There's the new Bio Lab X at 1855 South Reynolds Rd., which is billed as a virtual-reality haunted house. The mazelike open structure is set up like a mad scientist's laboratory, and visitors may be frightened by creatures who reach and jump out at every turn.

“I don't know why I do these things, but I just love haunted houses. This one was good - I was jerking and screaming and running all over the place,” said Sandi Marsh, 19, who visited last Sunday evening with a group of friends and relatives.

Bio Lab X is open through Halloween from 7 to 11 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday, and from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Cost is $10 per person, and group rates are available. Information: 419-380-8451.

For those who don't like a lot of gore and screams, or who have young children, don't fear - there are many area events just for you.

The Toledo Zoo presents its 18th annual Pumpkin Path, a trick-or-treat event that includes storytelling, live entertainment, candy stations, and pumpkin bowling, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27. The zoo also will host Little Boo at the Zoo, for preschool age children, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 25. Little Boo will feature animal demonstrations, a hay maze, goody bags, and more for $5.

For adults, the zoo will hold its eighth annual MaskZOOrade gala from 7 p.m. to midnight tomorrow at The Lodge. The costume-optional event features astrologers, music, tarot card readings, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle to raise funds for a Pride of Lions sculpture for the Zoo's Africa! Exhibit. Admission is $35 per person, and must be purchased in advance at the zoo. Information/tickets: 419-385-5721, ext. 2091.

Area farms plan to get in on the Halloween action with hayrides, apple cider, and straw mazes:

Fleitz Pumpkin Farm, 7133 Seaman Rd. in Oregon, offers one-acre and five-acre corn mazes, pumpkin fields, a craft barn, and weekend hayrides. The farm is open daily through Halloween, Oct. 31. Information: 419-836-7613.

There are a variety of mazes for children ages 12 and under at Schweizer's Fruit Farm, 4114 Seaman Rd. in Oregon. The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The 14th annual Klickman's Great Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival will be held on Elmore East Road in Elmore from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27. Not open on Oct. 30 and 31. Information: www.klickmanfarms.com.

Here is a sampling of other area Halloween happenings:

13th Annual Haunted Hydro, 1313 Tiffin St., Fremont, is a haunted house. The Hydro, a well-known Halloween attraction, has scaled back prices and haunted offerings a bit this year. Cost: $10 per person, $3 for repeat visits the same night. Hydro is open from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Oct. 27 and on Halloween and Nov. 1 and 2. Information: 419-333-2450 or 419-334-2452.

Terror Town, 1406 Key St. at the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee. Open from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 7 to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Halloween. Cost: $8.50 per person, $6.50 for children ages 10 and under. Terror Town also offers a $6 Terror Trail, a spooky hayride around the fairgrounds. Information: 419-897-7242.

Nightmare at North Towne. This haunted-house experience is open nightly in North Towne Square Mall from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday through Halloween, and Nov. 1-3. Cost: $9 for adults (a portion of proceeds will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation), $7 for students and those in costume on Halloween night. Information: 419-283-8768.

Terror in the Basement, 4223 Monroe St. This haunted house runs from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 27. Cost: $8, $1 off on Sunday for children ages 12 and under. Groups of 15 or more get $1 off admission price. Information: 419-471-0171.

Ghostly Manor, a haunted house inside Skateworld, 3319 Milan Rd., along State Rt. 250 in Sandusky. It is open Friday through Sunday through Halloween and Nov. 1-3. Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 10 and under. Information: 419-626-GHOST.

Nautical Nightmare, a multilevel historic ferry, the Ste. Claire, located near the Willis B. Boyer freighter museum at International Park. It features two separate haunted houses - “Ballroom of Terror” and “First Class Nightmare” - open Tuesday through Sunday through Halloween. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost: $13 per haunted house, or $19 for both. Information: 419-389-8350.

w 6th Annual Spooktacular, beginning at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Loop Park at East Perry and Dixon streets in Walbridge. The fall festival features a poker run and car show, best-decorated vehicle contest, a flame-throwing contest, hay rides, Halloween costume contests, hot air balloon rides, and a 50/50 raffle drawing. Costume registration is at 5 p.m.; contest awards are at 8:30 p.m.

Garrison Ghost Walk Lantern Tour at Fort Meigs State Memorial, one mile west of Perrysburg on State Rt. 65. The tour, at 7 p.m. tomorrow and Oct. 25 and Oct. 26, includes stories of bygone soldiers, Native American forces, and women of the army who are said to still haunt the grounds. Cost: $5 for adults, $1.25 for children 6 to 12, and no charge for children ages 5 and under. Information/reservations: 419-874-4121.

HalloWeekends at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky. Little monsters will enjoy Camp Spooky, and the ghastly and ghostly can venture through three haunted houses called the Fright Zone. Some rides and Camp Spooky will be closed Friday nights. Information: 419-627-2350 or www.cedarpoint.com.

Second annual Scare at the Bear at Great Bear Lodge, indoor waterpark resort at 4600 Milan Rd., along State Rt. 250 in Sandusky. Trick or Treat trail passes, Mystery Dessert, witch “crafts,” and a Spooktacular Storytime are included. It is open Sunday through Thursday evenings through Halloween. Reservations: 1-888-779-2327.

Halloween Fantasy at the Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 27. Museum galleries will be filled with mask-making, glass-blowing demonstrations, and other activities. Participants are encouraged to attend in costume. There is no charge. Information: 419-255-8000.

Halloween Boo Cruises aboard the Sandpiper, the canal boat docked at Promenade Park in downtown Toledo, departing each evening from Oct. 24 to 30.

Monday through Saturday, the 30-minute cruise boards every 45 minutes, beginning at 5 p.m., until 7:15 p.m. On Sundays, the cruises depart every 45 minutes beginning at 2 p.m., through 7:15 p.m. Treats are included, and participants are encouraged to wear fun Halloween costumes and bring a joke and a song. Cost: $4 any age. Information: 419-537-1212 or www.sandpiperboat.com.

Haunted Halloween Train Rides, through Nov. 3 at Yarburg Road and State Rt. 24, along the Toledo & Western Lake Erie Railroad, about one mile northeast of downtown Grand Rapids, Ohio. Train schedule: 7 and 8:30 p.m. Friday; 1, 2:30, 4, 7, and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; 1, 2:30, and 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $8 ($7 with costume), and $4.50 for children ages 3-12 ($4 in costume), and free for children ages under 3. Information: 419-878-2177 or www.tlew.org.